Information for SAVE Users: How to Verify Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau

Background

The Compacts of Free Association (COFA) are agreements that established free association between the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the Republic of Palau (PAL) (collectively referred to as the Freely Associated States, or FAS). FAS citizens are not citizens or nationals of the United States. However, FAS citizens admitted to the United States under the Compacts may reside, work and study in the United States for an unlimited length of time.^[1]

Travel Documentation and Admission to the United States

FAS citizens arriving at a U.S. port of entry may apply for admission as nonimmigrants. To be admitted to the United States, FAS citizens must possess a valid, unexpired passport from their country of citizenship. Under the Compacts, a visa is not required. Upon admission to the United States, FAS citizens receive an admission stamp in their passport from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The exact stamp notation will vary, but it typically states “CFA/PAL” (Compact of Free Association/Palau), “CFA/FSM” (Compact of Free Association/Federated States of Micronesia), or “CFA/MIS” (Compact of Free Association/Republic of Marshall Islands). Some older versions may be marked “CFA/RMI” for an RMI citizen. The admission period will indicate D/S (duration of status).^[2]

Since April 30, 2013, CBP has provided FAS citizens an electronic Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record which can be accessed and printed at i94.cbp.dhs.gov.

Before April 30, 2013, CBP may have issued Form I-94 to FAS citizens following admission into the United States, which would bear the admission stamp and notations listed above. FAS citizens may be able to obtain a replacement Form I-94 from the CBP website at i94.cbp.dhs.gov. If they cannot obtain their form from the CBP website, they may:

• Submit a request to CBP Information Center. See the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) tab on the CBP Frequently Asked Questions page for guidance.
• Submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with CBP. Additional information about CBP FOIA requests is available at https://www.cbp.gov/site-policy-notices/foia; or
• File Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival/Departure Record with USCIS.

SAVE Verification Process for FAS Citizens

To verify the status of FAS citizens, SAVE user agencies must provide:

• The applicant’s first name, last name and date of birth;
• Public benefit(s) requested by the applicant; and
• At least one U.S.-Government issued immigration identifier (also known as an enumerator) such as:
• Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record number;
• Form I-766, Employment Authorization Document number; or
• Form I-797, Notice of Action receipt number.

A foreign passport does not serve as evidence of an immigration status in the United States. If entering a foreign passport number, you must also provide at least one additional U.S.-Government issued enumerator.

Including all immigration enumerators provided by the applicant increases the chance of returning a verification result on initial verification.

SAVE Verification

Based on information from a FAS citizen’s documentation, SAVE can provide an initial verification response of Non-immigrant Employment Authorized – Indefinitely. The initial verification response may also include employment authorization information if the FAS citizen has an EAD. If the automated SAVE response is unexpected or is not sufficient for an agency to make a benefit eligibility determination, the agency should institute additional verification.

Additional Resources:

• Status of Citizens of the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands Fact Sheet
• Status of Citizens of the Republic of Palau Fact Sheet
• DHS REAL ID FAQs: Issuance of REAL ID Compliant Documents to Citizens of the FAS